we don't really see ourselves with kids in our 20s. >> maybe it's the economy. people with making sure they have enough for themselves first. >> we peaked in california in 1990. >> reporter: dell myers from usc sees a convergence of troubling trends. on top of a declining birthrate, there is a growing senior population. that means a shortage of doctors and caregivers in the supply pipeline to serve the aging. >> basically, there's almost twice as many seniors now per working-age person, or there will will, than tha there have been traditionally. >> reporter: aggravating factors are declining education opportunities and a higher cost of living in california. fewer people are coming to the state, including undocumented workers. myers says the state needs all of them, including the dream act students. >> now they're going to say this. because without the immigrant kids, we would be in a deep hole. >> reporter: a worst case scenario, an eroding tax base. the government demanding more from lower income people. and the future of this baby, a potential revolt. >> this